NFL notebook: Job No. 1: Replace Tagliabue

NFL NOTEBOOKSeach committee to begin hunt for new commissioner

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, March 26, 2006

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - Forming a search committee to target legitimate candidates to replace commissioner Paul Tagliabue is the top priority this week when the NFL owners conduct their spring meetings.

For the first time since 1989 when Pete Rozelle resigned for health reasons after 29 seasons, the NFL is looking for a commissioner. The league is hoping to have a replacement in place by July, but if it doesn't, Tagliabue is willing to continue.

Two-thirds of the owners (22 of 32) must approve the new commissioner. Most league decisions require three-quarters (24 of 32).

Before the meetings end, the owners also will consider some changes recommended by the competition committee that is co-chaired by McKay and Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

The owners will vote on reducing from 90 to 60 seconds the time the referee has before making an instant replay decision.

The owners also will consider a recommendation to increase the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams. It isn't expected to pass.

A can't-miss event

If you missed it last year, don't make the same mistake this year when the Touchdown Club of Houston puts on the Houston Football Dinner on May 3 at the J.W. Marriott.

NFL, college and high school players will be honored at the banquet. Texans coach Gary Kubiak and his coaching staff will attend.

The Texans players voted on three awards:

•Rookie of the year was receiver-kickoff returner Jerome Mathis.
•The most valuable player was running back Domanick Davis.
•Spirit of the Bull went to tight end Mark Bruener.
The Greater Houston-area NFL Player of the Year is San Diego receiver Keenan McCardell, who had 70 catches for 971 yards and nine touchdowns for a 9-7 team. Last year's winner was Arizona defensive end Bertrand Berry.

Thomas, Roby and Wade flew to Austin to catch passes from Young one day after he put on an incredible show at the Longhorns' pro day. They'll fly to Los Angeles for the Titans' private workout with Leinart.

Because Cutler played at Vanderbilt, the receivers won't have to travel far to participate in his private workout.

"We're trying to standardize everything we're doing as much as possible so that at some point in time we'll be able to evaluate," Reese said.

For the $24 million the Titans just gave free-agent receiver David Givens, you'd think they would have demanded he participate.

'T.O. is a perfect fit'

Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp isn't shy about giving his opinion. He was asked last week what he thought about the Cowboys signing receiver Terrell Owens.

" Jerry Jones is that kind of maverick owner, and you've got a maverick receiver, so why not let them ride off into the sunset together?" Sapp said. "It's Texas. Don't mess with Texas.

"It's America's Team, and he's dominated the news in America for quite awhile. T.O. is a perfect fit."

Little to show for it

Former Cleveland coach Butch Davis made some horrendous personnel decisions from 2001-04.

Of his 29 draft choices, only eight remain, including two (inside linebacker Andra Davis and outside linebacker Chaun Thompson) who are starters.

Goose eggs

Browns center LeCharles Bentley, who signed as a free agent, will petition the NFL to wear No. 00 in honor of his idol, Oakland's Hall of Fame center Jim Otto.

Colts strike gold

Vinatieri wanted a $3.5 million signing bonus. The Patriots refused, but the Colts agreed. What a move for Indianapolis.

Perhaps the best clutch kicker in NFL history, Vinatieri is 10-of-10 on field goals at the RCA Dome and 38-of-42 in domed stadiums.

More importantly, he hasn't missed a game-winning or game-tying kick since 1999. Not only did he win two Super Bowls with field goals, but he has won 19 games with field goals during his 10-year career.

Chiefs mull Harrington

"I liked Joey Harrington coming out of college exceedingly well," Peterson said. "We had a very, very good grade on him. But that was four years ago.

"We've got to evaluate also what he's done in his time in the NFL and why he's done it and what are the extenuating circumstances. Right now, I'm planning on Trent Green for the next couple of years at least."

Griese eyes Grossman's job

When free-agent quarterback Brian Griese signed with Chicago, he sounded like a quarterback who plans to earn a starting job.

Rex Grossman is the Bears starter, but he hasn't been able to avoid injuries since being drafted in 2003.

"I don't think any player who is worth his salt is content to be a backup, especially someone who has been a starter," Griese said. "I'm not going to resign myself to anything. I'm going to be the best player I can be and help the Bears win."

Kyle Orton, who won 10 games as a rookie last season, has been relegated to third string.

"I'm sure Kyle won't be the happiest guy given the fact this brings another quarterback into the mix, but he's a competitor," coach Lovie Smith said. "We like Kyle very much."

Packers' Walker ready to walk

GREEN Bay receiver Javon Walker, who missed last season after undergoing knee surgery, is demanding to be traded and threatening to retire at age 27. He's putting his house on the market and not planning to play the last year of his five-year contract.

Walker, who underwent surgery in Houston and has been rehabilitating here, would be an ideal addition for the Texans, who are desperate for a receiver to play opposite Andre Johnson.

The problem, of course, is that Walker is coming off major knee surgery. If the Packers end up trading Walker, they'll have to get a conditional pick that escalates based on his performance. His new team wouldn't give him a lot of money until he proved he could return to his form of 2004, when he was terrific.